Teso south: Teso South Member of Parliament Mary Emase has launched a six-day free medical camp for patients with eye- and dental-related ailments in Busia County. The medical camp is being conducted in partnership with Medical Education and Aids in Kenya (MEAK) at Alupe Sub County Hospital and will address both eye and dental problems.
According to Kenya News Agency, Emase noted that many Teso South residents were silently suffering from eye and dental problems due to limited access to medical care. She highlighted low electricity connectivity in the area as a contributing factor, with many households relying on traditional lighting sources that have led to rising eye complications. Emase expressed her commitment to helping the residents, stating that she had personally facilitated treatment for many in Tororo, Uganda.
The camp aims to treat at least 3,000 beneficiaries, providing eye treatment, including 300 cataract surgeries, and comprehensive dental care. Additional services will be offered through a partnership involving county health staff and Alupe University. The county government has also provided health workers to conduct TB and leprosy screenings during the camp.
Emase urged the Busia County Government to enhance service delivery in public health facilities to alleviate the burden on residents. She lamented the underutilisation of existing medical infrastructure due to staffing shortages and stalled essential utilities. Emase called for the employment of more staff to operationalise new equipment like X-ray machines, which have been idle due to a lack of personnel.
The MP also proposed establishing a dedicated hospital for outbreak and emergency cases to prevent Alupe Sub County Hospital from being used as an isolation centre, which instills fear among residents. She emphasized the need for a specific facility to handle emergencies to ensure uninterrupted services at Alupe Sub County Hospital.
Residents attending the camp expressed optimism, noting that the initiative would save many from costly private healthcare. Beneficiaries like Martin Mukanda and Camulus Ayugi shared their relief, highlighting the financial burden of private treatment and the significance of the camp in addressing their long-standing health issues.